2009 Lonestar Tri Race Report

I had been suffering from sinus/allergy trouble all week. Coupled with a lack of sleep, today wasn't stellar, but I'm still proud. I had problems breathing, because I couldn't take good, deep breaths without coughing. As I type this my head is just pounding! Enough excuses though, right? Slow or fast, I still did the tri. :)

I went to the site yesterday for the beginners' seminar. I'm really glad I did. Jana from Tri on the Run shared tips and a checklist which was really helpful. This event was very well thought out. The little things made it a success and fun to do.

Be prepared... this post is going to be all over the place. I'm kinda out of it.

Soooo yesterday I met up with *E* and *H*. They texted me earlier about how freaked out they were about the swim, as they attended the swim clinic on Friday. I am starting to think that NOT going to the clinic was better! Long story short, the swim was scary. The winds had picked up and the water was much colder than it was 4 days ago. I was soooooo glad I purchased the wetsuit.

We got there and set-up. Walked around a bit and waited for our wave (#11) -- it gave us plenty of time to get worked up. LOL I think we were all as nervous as we were excited.

We entered the water for our start... and yes; it was cold! it was 60-something... can't remember, but I think it was 65 degrees.

Basically I could forget everything I practiced in the pool. I think when it comes to open water swimming the pool is only good for training your endurance... not for swimming in open water. Not being able to take deep breaths today certainly hampered my lung capacity though -- so I started to feel a little defeated while I was out there. I just kept stroking though. Thankfully the current was with us and we didn't have to fight it, but the 10 to 15 mph winds (with gusts up to 20) made the water not rough, but definitely bouncy... I don't know how else to explain it.

I finished the swim and upon exit I felt like I was drunk. I couldn't even walk a straight line, let alone run! They had people setup to strip you! Seriously. We pulled our zippers down and got our wetsuits to the ground, dropped on our bottoms and pointed our toes -- then they pulled them off for us.

I didn't spend a ton of time in T1. I was looking forward to some recovery on the bike. Sadly though it took me 4 miles before I felt my legs again, and 7 until my legs really felt "good". I was not happy about that, but I finished strong, so that's something.

Again in T2, I took little time. I really was just spent. Every time my feet hit the pavement it just pounded in my head. In any case, I walked and ran through the 5k as best I could, which was pretty bad. I knew my outdoors time would not be as good as indoors though; it never is. That's something I need to work on to improve before the Danskin.

I know it must sound more bad than good, but I really had a great time and I am glad I got to share firsts with *E* and *H* -- as well as *K* who we befriended. I know I would have done even better had I not felt so sh*tty

Lessons learned:

• That I'm really not a terrible at swimming. Practice paid off!
• Take decongestant when you're suffering -- it's not worth feeling crappy-crappy, when you can settle for just crappy.
• Get enough sleep -- hadn't slept well with my sinus stuff for the last 4 days. :(
• Nothing new on race day -- bought some "Yankz" and one broke. Had my old laces with me, so I was saved. The product was great... it was my installation that failed.
• Work on true swim to bike transition. Evidently the Swim to Spin Class Transition isn't cutting it?
• Run outside! I effin' hate this part, but I think I could really improve this if I'd just do it OUTSIDE.
  

Overall finish 72nd in my wave; 163 overall male and female beginners.

Here's how it panned out:

Swim Rank: 58
Time: 00:16:26

Transition 1: 00:04:23

Bike Rank: 58
Bike Time: 00:54:15

Transition 2: 00:03:37

Run Rank: 83
Run Time: 00:47:55 (15.27 pace - bah!)

Total time 2:06:38 (didn't get my goal of < style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 146px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEOuqD9fTO-fvh5-0ZXBmMeGtRdLQiaz_y5N3dwayO4FNG2mILUwsW1HpEaCYLD_9oHw4kCTQuyjP6FeKPRDnrAq0PzuYFr9e9olRysXqjz9k80hEc7Q2b0a7ArUrsYAkNlfywG0z0TyI/s400/1rs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320943131001446018" border="0">